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First Name: Charles

Last Name: Fleek

Birthplace: Petersburg, KY, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Cincinnati, OH
Middle Name: Clinton



Date of Birth: 28 August 1947

Date of Death: 27 May 1969

Rank: Sergeant

Years Served:
Charles Clinton Fleek

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Charles Clinton Fleek
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Sergeant Charles Clinton Fleek (28 August 1947 - 27 May 1969) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War.

Charles Clinton Fleek was born on 28 August 1947, in Petersburg, KY. He joined the Army from Cincinnati, OH, and on May 27, 1969 was serving as a Sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight that day, in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, Fleek smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Fleek distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in Company C, during an ambush operation. Sgt. Fleek's unit was deployed in ambush locations when a large enemy force approached the position. Suddenly, the leading enemy element, sensing the ambush, halted and started to withdraw. Reacting instantly, Sgt. Fleek opened fire and directed the effective fire of his men upon the numerically superior enemy force. During the fierce battle that followed, an enemy soldier threw a grenade into the squad position. Realizing that his men had not seen the grenade, Sgt. Fleek, although in a position to seek cover, shouted a warning to his comrades and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing its blast. His gallant action undoubtedly saved the lives or prevented the injury of at least 8 of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Fleek's gallantry and willing self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Charles Clinton Fleek's name is inscribed on Panel 24W, Line 116.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Charles Clinton Fleek was killed in action on 27 May 1969. He is buried at Petersburg Cemetery in his birth city of Petersburg, KY, at GPS (lat/lon): 39.06232 -84.87514.



Honoree ID: 945   Created by: MHOH

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